Anent the news item in today's issue of The Freeman, re: "Plan to close CA offices here gets mixed reactions." Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. categorically denies that he made the statements attributed to him therein. Moreover, Justice Velasco does not recall having been interviewed by any reporter of your newspaper wherein he made the same pronouncements. What he recalls is that during a committee meeting for the budget of the Supreme Court and the Judiciary, it was mentioned that "if there would be no appropriation for the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of the Court of Appeals Regional Divisions, then there is a possibility that such divisions would be transferred to Manila until such appropriations for Cebu and Cagayan de Oro are made available."
Since the proposal has not yet been approved, both divisions continue to function.
The Court Administrator would like to stress that both divisions have done a commendable job for their capacity to dispose of many cases since they started operating.
In the interest of fair and balanced reporting, we hope that you can give this letter space in your next issue.
(Sgd.) Jim P. Barbosa
Consultant
Office of Justice P. J. Velasco, Jr.